A devastating tragedy unfolded off the coast of Mauritania when a boat carrying around 160 migrants capsized, resulting in the deaths of at least 49 people.
The vessel, a traditional wooden fishing canoe known as a pirogue, was headed towards Spain’s Canary Islands. Seventeen people have been rescued, and a search operation is underway to locate approximately 100 missing individuals.
According to survivors, the boat set off from The Gambia six days prior to the accident. The migrants, mainly Gambian and Senegalese nationals, were attempting to reach Europe via the perilous Atlantic Ocean route.
Tragically, this journey has become increasingly common for African migrants seeking a better life.
The Mauritanian coastguard reported that the boat capsized after the migrants spotted the lights of a coastal town and moved to one side, causing it to tip over.
Search efforts are ongoing, with Helen Maleno, spokesperson for the Spanish non-governmental organization Caminando Fronteras, urging the Mauritanian coastguard to continue the search for around 140 missing people.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Atlantic. Last year, nearly 47,000 people reached the Canary Islands, while over 9,000 migrants lost their lives trying.
The incident has also raised concerns about the treatment of migrants in Mauritania, with Human Rights Watch accusing the country’s security forces of systematic abuse.
